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Grassroots groups are calling for a 24-hour “economic blackout” and urged major retailers not to shop on Friday as a form of protest against businesses, politicians and banks. And social media-driven campaigns have gained traction among several celebrities.
The day’s economic protests require people across the country to not buy online or in stores nationwide, and only buy essentials such as food, medicines and emergency supplies at small, local brick and mortar stores.
“There are no Amazon, no Walmart or Best Buy,” the group, the People’s Union, said on its website. “One day we show them someone who really has the power.”
Founded by activist John Schwartz, the group does not belong to political parties on its website, but says it focuses on fighting corruption in government and businesses.
One post from Schwartz, which promotes the protest, has earned nearly 200,000 likes on Instagram.
“Mega companies have outsourced their jobs while raising prices, lowering their workers and collecting record profits,” the site reads. “The “both left and right” of politicians accepted corporate bribery, passed laws that served billionaires, and ignored the needs of those who they claim to represent. This system is designed to keep us helpless, but that’s now over. ”
It is not clear how the group will determine whether the boycott was successful or whether it affected the revenues of national retailers.
The call to stop shopping for the day is the group’s first campaign, with plans to organize more actions against certain companies.
“To those in solidarity, tomorrow will make history,” Schwartz said in an Instagram video posted Thursday. “I’ll hold the line. Don’t be discouraged if you go outside and see people shopping. If the store is open and busy and you can’t see the business as usual, don’t shake it up.”
Friday’s economic protest has already won the support of several public figures, and they are encouraging fans and followers to take part in the blackout of shopping.
“This is how we exercise Latino power,” actor and comedian John Legoisamo wrote on his Facebook page Wednesday. In his post, Legoi Zamo portrayed the protest as an act against the current Trump administration.
Last week, singer and actress Bette Midler also shared images to encourage blackouts on her Instagram account.
“Don’t shop!” she wrote in the post. “And if you have to, turn to your local small business!”
Author Stephen King also expressed his support for the protest.
“Don’t buy anything on February 28th,” he wrote on the social media site, thread. “resist.”
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